Compare towns
Dudley vs Hardwick vs Athol
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dudley has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.7%).
Hardwick has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Athol has the most affordable homes ($268k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Dudley | Hardwick | Athol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,929 |
2,684Lowest |
12,011Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.2±2.4Lowest about the MA average |
45.3±9.8Highest 13% above MA |
41.3±1.9 3% above MA |
| Hardwick and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.6%±3.3 MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±5.6Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±3.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Athol and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 16.9%±3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest MA: 17.9% |
19.3%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Hardwick and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.1% MA: 47.3% |
30.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
20.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 13.1%±2Highest MA: 7.9% |
6.2%±4.4 MA: 7.9% |
3.6%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $84,604±$12kHighest 19% below MA |
$75,000±$22k 28% below MA |
$69,316±$5kLowest 33% below MA |
| Dudley and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $392,600±$19kHighest 30% below MA |
$346,700±$67k 38% below MA |
$268,100±$13kLowest 52% below MA |
| Dudley and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,217±$182Highest 31% below MA |
$1,108±$119Lowest 37% below MA |
$1,150±$182 35% below MA |
| Dudley and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,691 38% below MA |
$4,400Highest 27% below MA |
$3,403Lowest 43% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.4%±4.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
59%±13.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
57.5%±17.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Hardwick and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
11% MA: 10% |
16.3%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
72.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1953Lowest 11 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 6% below MA |
31 minHighest 7% above MA |
27 minLowest 8% below MA |
| Work from home | 9.1%±2.5 MA: 18.6% |
8.7%±4.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
10.6%±3.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Athol and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #142 of 282 in MA | #163 of 282 in MA | #256 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Dudley-Charlton Reg | Quabbin | Athol-Royalston |
| High school in town | Shepherd Hill Regional High | None in town | Athol High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.3Highest |
— | 11.6Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.